Tinubu Woos investors in France, Says Nigeria Open for Business

President Bola Tinubu has continued to lead the drive for massive investment in the nation’s economy. In France, he told investors that the country is open for business. He stated his government is creating an enabling environment for them to thrive.
He claimed the nation is attempting to diversify its economy and that it is powered by a young, skilled populace.
Tinubu said this on Thursday during a joint briefing with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace, that his leadership has been working to stabilize the security system in Nigeria and was witnessing some remarkable results. Tinubu said. “We are doing better now in the area of security. I can assure all the investors that Nigeria is open for business. We assure you of a free market economy; easy in, easy out; no hindrance,” Tinubu said.
The Nigerian president emphasized that one of the reasons French investors should consider the West African country is the young people of that country, who are educated, talented, and willing to get training.
“We have a vibrant youth population that is well educated, skilled, and ready to be trained for the development of our economy,” Tinubu, who is on a three-day visit to France, told the gathering.
“This, I will emphasise, is why we need the French experts and investors to do more in this area to help develop our youth population.”
According to Tinubu, Nigeria is trying to diversify its economy away from fossil fuels and thinks France can be a major contributor to that effort.
“We have the potential to diversify our economy from fossil fuels,” he said.
“In Lagos, for example, we have tamed the Atlantic Ocean so far, and we are still promoting the marine and blue economy. Fishery is an important aspect of our economic potential,” he added.
President Tinubu thanked the French government for providing stability for Nigerian businesses in the European country.
“Thank you for creating a conducive environment for them to flourish, and we are creating the same ground for investment in the Nigerian economy for the French nationality in the area of food security,” Tinubu said.
Nigeria is Africa’s leading oil producer and has a robust film industry, dubbed “Nollywood.”
However, millions of Nigerians are below the poverty line due to insecurity and other issues, and inflation rates are at all-time highs.
Tinubu agreed that more must be done by the nation and expressed a desire to collaborate with France on that.
“Nigeria is ready to partner with France so that we will have a very robust security operation that will stop migration,” he added, re-echoing the need for a peaceful environment for businesses to flourish.
“On the defence industry,” he told Macron, “I really appreciate what you shared with us and the promise for the future.”
Macron, 46, who has sought a “renewal” between Paris and Africa since his 2017 election, said his country will “continue to invest” in Nigeria, at a time when France’s influence on the continent is waning following military coups and changing attitudes.
Tinubu’s visit is the first official state visit by a Nigerian leader in more than two decades.